Systems and methods for sprinkler systems with flexible hose and rapid seal adapter

ABSTRACT

A sprinkler system includes a fitting and a sprinkler. The fitting includes a hose and at least one adapter coupled with the hose. The at least one adapter includes a first engagement member and a receiver adjacent to the first engagement member. The receiver has a greater inner diameter than the first engagement member. The sprinkler includes a body, at least one flange extending from the body, and a second engagement member extending from the at least one flange.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S.Provisional Application No. 63/158,217, filed Mar. 8, 2021, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Sprinkler systems can be provided in buildings to address fireconditions. Sprinkler systems can include fire protection sprinklersthat connect with piping systems to receive fluid to address the fireconditions.

SUMMARY

At least one aspect relates to a sprinkler system. The sprinkler systemincludes a fitting and a sprinkler. The fitting includes a hose and atleast one adapter coupled with the hose. The at least one adapterincludes a first engagement member and a receiver adjacent to the firstengagement member. The receiver has a greater inner diameter than thefirst engagement member. The sprinkler includes a body, at least oneflange extending from the body, and a second engagement member extendingfrom the at least one flange.

At least one aspect relates to a flexible hose fitting. The flexiblehose fitting includes a hose and at least one adapter coupled with thehose. The at least one adapter includes a first engagement member and areceiver adjacent to the first engagement member. The receiver has agreater inner diameter than the first engagement member.

At least one aspect relates to a piping assembly of a sprinkler system.The piping assembly includes a first fitting, a second fitting, and agasket. The first fitting includes a hose and at least one adaptercoupled with the hose. The at least one adapter includes a firstengagement member and a receiver adjacent to the first engagementmember. The receiver has a greater inner diameter than the firstengagement member. The second fitting includes a body, at least oneflange extending from the body, and a second engagement member extendingfrom the at least one flange. The gasket is to be positioned between thegasket receiver and the receiver of the fitting.

These and other aspects and implementations are discussed in detailbelow. The foregoing information and the following detailed descriptioninclude illustrative examples of various aspects and implementations,and provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature andcharacter of the claimed aspects and implementations. The drawingsprovide illustration and a further understanding of the various aspectsand implementations, and are incorporated in and constitute a part ofthis specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an example of a sprinkler system.

FIGS. 2A and 2B depict an example of a sprinkler, fitting, and gasket ofa sprinkler system.

FIG. 3 depicts an example of a detail view of a sprinkler, fitting, andgasket of a sprinkler system.

FIG. 4 depicts an example of a gasket of a sprinkler system.

FIG. 5 depicts an example of a gasket and a sprinkler.

FIG. 6 depicts an example of a gasket and a sprinkler.

FIG. 7 depicts an example of a gasket.

FIG. 8 depicts an example of a cross-section view of a fitting that canreceive a gasket and a remote fitting.

FIG. 9 depicts an example of a cross-section view of a fitting that canbe received by a remote fitting.

FIG. 10 depicts an example of a sprinkler system including a flexiblehose coupled with a sprinkler.

FIG. 11 depicts an example of connections to form an installation of asprinkler system including a flexible hose.

FIG. 12 depicts an example of an adapter to form one or more connectionsof a sprinkler system including a flexible hose.

FIG. 13 depicts an example of an adapter to form one or more connectionsof a sprinkler system including a flexible hose.

The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. Likereference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate likeelements. For purposes of clarity, not every component can be labeled inevery drawing. In the drawings:

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure generally relates to fire sprinkler systems. Moreparticularly, the present disclosure relates to a flexible hose that canbe installed with various fittings, such as a sprinkler, with greaterspeed, such as by reducing or avoiding the need to use tools or pipetape to properly connect and seal the sprinkler to the flexible hose, orotherwise enabling tool-free installation. Sprinkler systems includesprinklers that can inhibit or permit flow of fluid (water or other firesuppressant fluid). In the instance of a fire or detected conditionsthat may be indicative of a fire (e.g., increased heat, smoke, etc.),the sprinklers can permit the flow of fluid such that the fluid maycontact a deflector and be dispersed so as to address the fire. Thesprinklers may disperse water or fire protection fluid over a specificarea, for example a storage commodity, a portion of a room or hallway,or a window or wall. In order to accomplish fire exposure protection fora given area (e.g., room, hallway, window, wall, etc.), sprinklerscouple with a piping system that directs fire suppressant from a sourceto the sprinklers. The sprinklers can selectively couple with the pipingduring installation of the fire suppression system. For example,sprinklers include threading that can interface with threading on thepiping system to fluidly seal the sprinklers to the piping system.Flexible hoses can be used to provide greater freedom for locating thesprinkler relating to the piping system, including to enable thesprinkler to be positioned on a different side of a barrier (e.g., wall)from the piping system or to enable the sprinkler to be installedthrough a drop ceiling, but can require difficult installationprocedures that can expose the sprinkler to contact from othercomponents or structures during installation.

Sprinkler systems in accordance with the present disclosure can includea sprinkler (or other fitting, such as a pipe, tee joint, elbow joint,cross joint, or pipe outlet, including threaded or grooved outlets orcouplings) that includes a flange to stop insertion of the sprinklerinto a fitting (e.g., adapter coupled with or formed as part of theflexible hose) that receives the sprinkler, and a gasket that can bepositioned between the sprinkler and fitting that includes dimples toprovide an interference fit and a relief cut to decrease insertionforces. The sprinkler can include at least one of a flange and ashoulder that abuts the fitting to prevent overtightening to preventdeformation of the gasket. The system can implement particular sizes orratios of features such as thread pitch, gasket height, and flangeheight to facilitate installation of the sprinkler. The flexible hosecan be formed as part of an assembly or monolithic fitting including oneor more adapters, such as adapters that allow for manual connection withthe flexible hose (e.g., allowing for manual push or rotationconnections while a fluid tight seal or other sufficiently secureconnection is still formed), to allow for tool-free connection betweenthe flexible hose and a pipe header at an inlet end of the flexiblehose, and between the flexible hose and a sprinkler at an outlet end ofthe flexible hose. Various such features can enable a more rapidinstallation of the sprinkler while enabling proper sealing andpreventing over torqueing, including to allow more flexible placement ofthe sprinkler without requiring an installer to manipulate toolsoverhead during the installation process.

For example, the sprinkler system can include a sprinkler, a fitting,and a gasket. The sprinkler can include a body having an inlet end andan opening. The sprinkler can be an early suppression fast response(ESFR) sprinkler, standard commercial sprinkler, residential sprinkler,or the like. The sprinkler can include at least one flange extendingradially outward from the body and positioned between the inlet end andthe opening. The at least one flange can be sized to receive the gasketbetween the at least one flange and the fitting, and to abut an outeredge of the fitting to prevent overtightening or overcompression of thegasket. The sprinkler can include a sprinkler engagement member, such asa straight thread, positioned between the at least one flange and theinlet end. The fitting can include an inner wall defining a fittingengagement member that couples with the sprinkler engagement member, aninner wall edge extending radially outward from the inner wall, and anend wall extending from the inner wall edge to the outer edge. Thefitting can be made from a weldable material. The gasket can be receivedbetween the at least one flange, the end wall, and the inner wall edgeto seal the sprinkler with the fitting. The gasket can be made from amaterial having a Shore hardness less than or equal to 80 durometers.The gasket can be made from a material having a Shore hardness greaterthan or equal to 50 and less than or equal to 60 durometers.

The sprinkler can be installed with fabricated (e.g., welded) steelpiping systems. For example, the fitting can be welded to the steelpiping, as the gasket is provided with (e.g., installed on) thesprinkler, rather than the fitting, and thus not in position to bedeformed by the welding operation.

The sprinkler and various other components of the system can be used forstorage applications, including but not limited to use for ceiling-onlysystems, and for ceiling heights up to and over fifty five feet. Forexample, the system can be used for storage commodities such as Class I,II, III or IV, Group A, Group B, or Group C plastics, elastomers, orrubber commodities, or any combination thereof. The storage commoditycan be in an arrangement such as a single-row rack arrangement, adouble-row rack arrangement, a multi-row rack arrangement, a palletizedarrangement, a solid-piled arrangement, a bin box arrangement, a shelfarrangement, a back-to-back shelf arrangement, an on floor arrangement,and a rack without solid shelves arrangement, or any combinationthereof. The system can be used in accordance with various standards,such as standards set forth by the National Fire Protection Association(NFPA) or FM Global. The sprinkler and various other components can alsobe used for residential and commercial fire suppression applications.

FIG. 1 depicts a fire suppression system 100. The fire suppressionsystem 100 can be a chemical fire suppression system. The firesuppression system 100 can distribute a fire suppressant agent onto ornearby a fire, extinguishing the fire and preventing the fire fromspreading. The fire suppression system 100 can be used alone or incombination with other types of fire suppression systems (e.g., abuilding sprinkler system, a handheld fire extinguisher). Multiple firesuppression systems 100 can be used in combination with one another tocover a larger area (e.g., each in different rooms of a building).

The fire suppression system 100 can be used in a variety ofapplications. The fire suppression system 100 can be used with a varietyof fire suppressant agents, including but not limited to water (e.g.,may use powders, liquids, foams, or other fluid or flowable materials).The fire suppression system 100 can be used for storage applications,including ceiling-only, in-rack, or a combination of ceiling and racksprinklers, such as to be installed for storage commodities such asClass I, II, III or IV, Group A, Group B, or Group C plastics,elastomers, or rubber commodities, or any combination thereof. Thestorage commodity can be in an arrangement such as a single-row rackarrangement, a double-row rack arrangement, a multi-row rackarrangement, a palletized arrangement, a solid-piled arrangement, a binbox arrangement, a shelf arrangement, a back-to-back shelf arrangement,an on floor arrangement, and a rack without solid shelves arrangement,or any combination thereof.

The fire suppression system 100 can include or be coupled with a fluidsupply 112. The fluid supply 112 can define an internal volume filled(e.g., partially filled, completely filled) with fire suppressant agent.The fluid supply 112 can provide fluid from a remote or local locationto a building in which the fire suppression system 100 is located. Thefluid supply may include, for example, a municipal water supply, pump,piping system, tank, cylinder, or any other source of water or firesuppression agent.

Piping 108 (e.g., one or more pipes, tubes, conduits) can be fluidlycoupled with one or more sprinklers 104. The piping 108 can includevertical pipes 116. The vertical pipes 116 can extend perpendicular fromthe piping 108. The sprinklers 104 can receive water or other firesuppressant agent from the fluid supply 112 via the piping 108 and thevertical pipes 116. The sprinklers 104 can each define one or moreoutlets, through which the fire suppressant agent exits and contacts adeflector 120, such as to form a spray of water or other firesuppressant agent that covers a desired area. The sprays from thesprinklers 104 then suppress or extinguish fire within that area. Thedeflectors 120 of the sprinklers 104 can be shaped to control the spraypattern of the fire suppressant agent leaving the sprinklers 104. Thesprinklers 104 can be used as concealed sprinklers, pendent sprinklers,upright sprinklers, water mist nozzles, or any other device for sprayingfire suppression agent.

The sprinklers 104 can include an activation element (e.g., thermalelement) 124. The activation element 124 can change from a first statethat prevents fluid flow out of the sprinkler 104 to a second state thatpermits fluid flow of the sprinkler 104 responsive to a fire condition.For example, the activation element 124 can include a glass bulbincluding a fluid that expands responsive to an increase in temperature(e.g., responsive to heat provided to the fluid from a fire), such as tocause the glass bulb to break responsive to the temperature meeting orexceeding a threshold temperature; the activation element 124 caninclude a fusible link that includes two or more pieces coupled using asolder than can melt responsive to the temperature meeting or exceedinga threshold temperature; the activation element 124 can include anelectric actuator (e.g., an electrically triggered pyrotechnic actuatoror electrically actuated bulb or link). The activation element 124 canhave a response time index (RTI) less than or equal to 80 (m/s)^(1/2),or less than or equal to 50 (m/s)^(1/2).

The sprinklers 104 can be early suppression, fast response (ESFR)sprinklers. The sprinklers 104 can have K-factors greater than or equalto 14.0 GPM/PSI² and less than or equal to 36.0 GPM/PSI². The sprinklers104 can be arranged (e.g., in a grid or tree arrangement over a storagecommodity) to have sprinkler to sprinkler spacings greater than or equalto eight feet by eight feet and less than or equal to twelve feet bytwelve feet. The sprinklers can be configured to be connected with apipe in quick time. To achieve this, the pitch of engageable threadsprovided on these sprinklers is altered from the standard national pipethreads (NPT). Due to the alteration in the pitch of the engageablethreads, the sprinklers can be installed in quick time and with lesstorque requirement as compared to other sprinklers having national pipethreads (NPT). Due to the different pitch of the engageable threads, thesprinklers may not be directly connected with a pipe or connectorshaving standard national pipe threads (NPT). The present disclosurediscloses fittings elaborated in following paragraphs to facilitateconnection between standard threads of pipe or connector withnon-standard threads of the sprinklers or standard threads of othersprinklers with non-standard threads of pipe or connector which arespecifically provided to be connected with sprinklers. The sprinklerscan be rapid install early suppression, fast response (RI ESFR)sprinklers provided with non-standard (for example, non-NPT) engageablethreads. The sprinklers 104 can also be standard commercial sprinklers,residential sprinklers, or the like.

FIGS. 2A and 2B depict a sprinkler system 200. The sprinkler system 200can incorporate features and components of the fire suppression system100 described with reference to FIG. 1 . The sprinkler system 200 can beused for fire protection in various applications, including but notlimited to storage applications, commercial applications, andresidential applications. The sprinkler system 200 can be rapidlyassembled to properly install and seal the sprinkler 104, and may notrequire pipe tape to complete the seal, or may otherwise allow for atool-free installation to complete the seal.

The sprinkler 104 can be coupled with a fitting 280 to receive fluidflow in a direction 201 from the fitting 280. The fitting 280 can be anadapter (including but not limited to a welded or strap-on pipe outlet,tee fitting, or elbow fitting) to couple the sprinkler 104 with a pipe,or can form an outlet portion of the pipe (e.g., at least one of pipe108 and pipe 116 described with reference to FIG. 1 ). At least one ofthe sprinkler 104 and the fitting 280 can be made from a metal (e.g.,steel, brass, iron), or a polymeric material (e.g., plastic, CPVC). Forexample, the fitting 280 can be made of a weldable metal, such as steel,brass, or iron. The fitting 280 can be at least one machined and moldedas a unitary structure. The sprinkler 104 can be an example of a bodythat can be provided with the gasket 260 to couple with the fitting 280,such as a body that includes the at least one flange 236 (e.g., flanges236 and 252) and the gasket receiver 256, to be connected with thefitting 280 by hand (e.g., without using tools). The gasket 260 can havevarious form factors, including but not limited to being a round orsquare gasket, as well as incorporating cutouts, dimples, or otherfeatures to facilitate effective sealing and coupling between thesprinkler 104 and fitting 280.

The fitting 280 can be welded to the piping 108 of FIG. 1 . For example,the fitting 280 and piping 108 can be made of steel to be weldedtogether. As described herein, the gasket 260 can be provided on thesprinkler 104, rather than in the fitting 280, so that the weldingoperation does not deform the gasket 260. In various examples, thegasket 260 can be arranged relative to at least one of the sprinkler 104and the fitting 280 to form a radial seal (e.g., compression applied tothe inner and outer diameters of the gasket 260) or a face seal (e.g.,compression applied to a top and bottom of the cross section of thegasket 260).

The sprinkler 104 includes a body 204 that can extend from an inlet end208 to an outlet end 212. The body 204 can define an opening 216 throughwhich fluid can flow from the fitting 280. The sprinkler 104 can includea seal 220, such as a button that can be positioned in the opening 216to seal the opening 216.

The sprinkler 104 can include at least one frame arm 224 that extendsfrom the body 204. The frame arms 224 can extend to the outlet end 212.The frame arms 224 can be radially outward relative to the opening 216(e.g., relative to longitudinal axis 202 extending through the opening216).

The sprinkler 104 can include an activation element 228 positionedbetween the seal 220 and the outlet end 212. The activation element 228can incorporate features of the activation element 124 described withreference to FIG. 1 . For example, the activation element 228 caninclude a glass bulb within which a fluid can expand to break the glassbulb responsive to temperature meeting or exceeding a thresholdtemperature, or a fusible link that can break responsive to thetemperature meeting or exceeding the threshold temperature. Theactivation element 228 can apply a force on the seal 220 to secure theseal 220 in the opening 216. Responsive to the activation element 228breaking, the seal 220 can move out of the opening 216 (e.g., bypressure of fluid in the body 204 applied against the seal 220),allowing fluid from the fitting to flow through the opening 216.

The sprinkler 104 can include a deflector 232. The deflector 232 canreceive fluid from the fitting 280 through the opening 216 (e.g.,responsive to the seal 220 moving out of the opening 216) and output thereceived fluid according to a target spray pattern. For example, thedeflector 232 can include one or more tines shaped to cause the fluid tobe outputted according to the target spray pattern. The deflector 232can extend from the frame arms 224 (or a portion of the sprinkler 104between the frame arms 224 and the deflector 232). The target spraypattern can correspond to an orientation of the deflector 232 (e.g.,relative to longitudinal axis 202).

The sprinkler 104 can include at least one flange 236 between the inletend 208 and the opening 216. The at least one flange 236 can define atleast one support surface 238 that can contact the gasket 260 responsiveto securing the sprinkler 104 with the fitting 280. The at least oneflange 236 can form at least part of a neck portion of the sprinkler 104that can be in contact with or received by the fitting 280.

The sprinkler 104 can include at least one engagement member 240 thatcan engage with the fitting 280. For example, as depicted in FIG. 2B,the at least one engagement member 240 can include threading thatextends around the inlet end 208. The engagement member 240 can includestraight thread, which can facilitate connection of the sprinkler 104with the fitting 280.

The engagement member 240 can extend from the inlet end 208 along afirst portion 210 of the sprinkler 104 to a gap portion 244 that definesa gap 248 between the engagement member 240 and the at least one flange236. The gap portion 244 can be radially inward from outer edges of theengagement member 240 and from the at least one flange 236 (e.g., fromthe second flange 252) relative to a longitudinal axis 202.

The fitting 280 can include an inner wall 284 that defines at least onefitting engagement member 288. The fitting engagement member 288 cancouple with (e.g., threadably engage with) the engagement member 240 ofthe sprinkler 104 to secure the fitting 280 with the sprinkler 104. Thefitting engagement member 288 can be straight thread. At least a portionof the fitting 280 can define the fitting engagement member 288.Responsive to engaging the sprinkler 104 with the fitting 280 (e.g.,threading the sprinkler 104 into the fitting 280), the at least oneflange 236 can apply pressure on the gasket 260 to seal the sprinkler104 with the fitting 280, such as to compress the gasket 260 between thesprinkler 104 and the fitting 280.

The fitting 280 can include an end wall 292 radially outward from theinner wall 284 (as depicted in FIG. 2B, an outer surface of 282 thefitting 280 opposite the inner wall 284 and end wall 292 can becontinuous, having the same outer radius). The inner wall 284 can definean inner wall edge 286 (e.g., shelf) between the inner wall 284 and theend wall 292. The inner wall edge 286 can be opposite the at least onesupport surface 238 of the at least one flange 236 while the sprinkler104 is received by the fitting 280. The end wall 292 and the at leastone flange 236 of the sprinkler 104 can receive the gasket 260 so thatthe gasket 260 seals the sprinkler 104 and the fitting 280. For example,the gasket 260 can be received between the inner wall edge 286 and theend wall 292 of the fitting 280 and the support surface 238 and gasketreceiver 256 of the sprinkler 104, such that engagement of the sprinkler104 and the fitting 280 (e.g., using engagement members 240, 280)compresses the gasket 260 between the inner wall edge 286 and thesupport surface 238. As discussed below, an outer edge 296 of the endwall 292 can contact the at least one flange 236 of the sprinkler 104,enabling the at least one flange 236 to stop further movement of thesprinkler 104 into the fitting 280 (e.g., in a direction alonglongitudinal axis 202), such as to prevent overtightening of thesprinkler 104 with the fitting 280 and prevent overcompression of thegasket 260. The fitting 280 and sprinkler 104 can position the gasket260 so that the gasket 260 is not in a flow path through the fitting 280and the body 204.

The at least one flange 236 can include a first flange 236, a secondflange 252, and a gasket receiver 256. The first flange 236 can extendfurther radially outward (e.g., has a greater outer diameter than) thanthe second flange 252 so that a support surface 242 of the first flange236 contacts the outer edge 296 of the fitting 280. The second flange252 can extend further radially outward than (e.g., has a greater outerdiameter than) the gasket receiver 256, and can contact the gasket 260(e.g., a sprinkler 104-facing portion of the gasket 260). The gasketreceiver 256 can contact the gasket 260, allowing the gasket 260 to beretained on the gasket receiver 256 during installation as shown in FIG.2A.

FIG. 3 depicts the sprinkler 104 coupled with the gasket 260 and thefitting 280. Various features of at least one of the sprinkler 104,gasket 260, and fitting 280 can be sized to facilitate rapidinstallation of the sprinkler 104 with proper sealing and alignment,such as to ensure that half or full turns (e.g., rotation within athreshold angle of three hundred sixty degrees, the threshold angle canbe ten degrees) of the sprinkler 104 when threaded into the fitting 280properly compress the gasket 260 and align the frame arms 224 (and, inturn, the deflector 232) at a target orientation.

For example, at least one of a height 254 of the second flange 252 (seeFIG. 2B) and a pitch of the fitting engagement member 288 of the fittingcan correspond to a height 304 of the gasket 260. The height 304 can begreater than 0.1 inches and less than 1 inch. The height 304 can begreater than 0.15 inches and less than 0.5 inches. The height 304 can begreater than 0.2 inches and less than 0.4 inches. The height 304 can be0.237 inches.

The height 304 of the gasket 260 can define at least one of a minimumthreshold and a maximum threshold, based on which features of at leastone of the sprinkler 104 and the fitting 280 can be sized. The minimumthreshold can correspond to a minimum engagement with the gasket 260 toenable sealing using the gasket 260 (e.g., to enable water tightsealing). The minimum threshold can be greater than ten percent and lessthan twenty percent of the height 304. The minimum threshold can begreater than twelve percent and less than eighteen percent of the height304. The minimum threshold can be fifteen percent. For example, if theheight 304 is 0.237 inches, then the minimum threshold can be fifteenpercent of 0.237 inches, which is about 0.035 inches.

The thread pitch of the fitting engagement member 288 can correspond tothe minimum threshold. For example, the thread pitch of the fittingengagement member 288 can be a lowest number of threads per inch suchthat a half turn (e.g., rotation within a threshold angle of one hundredeighty degrees around longitudinal axis 202, the threshold angle can beless than ten degrees) relative to the fitting engagement member 288 isgreater than or equal to the minimum threshold.

For example, if the minimum threshold is 0.035 inches, the fittingengagement member 288 can have a pitch of fourteen threads per inch,which is about 0.07 inches per thread, such that a half turn of thesprinkler 104 will result in the fitting engagement member 288 engagingwith 0.035 inches of the gasket 260, satisfying the minimum threshold.As another example, if the height 304 is 0.5 inches, fifteen percent of0.5 inches is 0.075 inches, such that a pitch of the fitting engagementmember 288 can be 6 threads per inch (0.16 inches per thread so that ahalf turn engages with 0.08 inches of the gasket 260).

The maximum threshold can correspond to a maximum engagement of thesprinkler 104 with the gasket 260 or the fitting 280, such as to ensurean appropriate amount of compression of the gasket 260 to seal thesprinkler 104 with the fitting 280 without overtightening or thecomponents bottoming out with respect to one another (e.g., supportsurface 242 of the at least one flange 236 contacting outer edge 296 ofthe fitting 280). The maximum threshold is greater than the minimumthreshold. The maximum threshold can be greater than or equal to twentypercent and less than or equal to sixty percent of the height 304. Themaximum threshold can be greater than or equal to thirty percent andless than or equal to fifty percent of the height 304. The maximumthreshold can be forty percent of the height 304. For example, if theheight is 0.237 inches, then the maximum threshold can be forty percentof 0.237 inches, which is about 0.095 inches.

The height 254 of the second flange 252 can correspond to the maximumthreshold. For example, the height 254 can be less than or equal to themaximum threshold. For example, if the maximum threshold is 0.095inches, then the height 254 can be less than or equal to 0.095 inches.As another example, if the height 304 is 0.5 inches, forty percent of0.5 inches is 0.2 inches, such that the height 254 can be less than orequal to 0.2 inches.

Because the gasket 260 is shielded from fluid flow by the gasketreceiver 256 and the engagement member 240, the gasket 260 can berelatively soft. For example, the gasket 260 can be made from ethylenepropylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber. The gasket 260 can have ahardness greater than or equal to 50 durometers (e.g., Shore durometer)and less than or equal to 60 durometers. As such, the hardness of thegasket 260 can be low enough to facilitate hand-tightening of thesprinkler 104 with the fitting 280 (e.g., compared to harder materials,such as having hardnesses of 70-90 durometers, which may be used forgaskets to be installed relative to the sprinkler and fitting so thatcompression of the gasket can cause the gasket to extend radially inwardinto the fluid flow, restricting the fluid flow), such as by reducingthe force required to tighten the sprinkler 104, and high enough totransmit a sensation of contact between the gasket 260 and the fitting280 to a user installing the sprinkler 104 (e.g., as compared to furthersofter materials that may make it difficult to detect contact betweenthe gasket 260 and the fitting 280 while tightening).

The gasket 260 can be made of various shapes, such as cross-sectionalshapes. For example, the gasket 260 can have circular or rectangularcross-sections.

The inner wall edge 286 can be flat, such as depicted in FIG. 2B. Theinner wall edge 286 can define an extension 308 that extends from theinner wall 284 adjacent to a void 312 between the inner wall 284 and theend wall 292. The extension 308 can apply force against the gasket 260using less surface area, which can help prevent a leak path formingaround the gasket 260 when sealing the sprinkler 104 and the fitting280. The extension 308 can extend parallel to the longitudinal axis 202(see FIG. 2B) and from a radially inward portion of the inner wall 284relative to the void 312.

The support surface 238 of the sprinkler 104 can define an extension 320that extends from the at least one flange 236 to apply force against thegasket 260 using less surface area. The extension 320 can extend fromthe at least one flange 236 in a direction towards the engagement member240 (e.g., parallel to the longitudinal axis 202).

FIG. 4 depicts an example of the gasket 260. The gasket 260 can includea wall 404 having an outer surface 408 and an inner surface 412. Theouter surface 408 can define an insert portion 416 around a center ofthe wall 404 (e.g., a central region relative to the longitudinal axis202 when the gasket 260 is received between the sprinkler 104 andfitting 280). The insert portion 416 can have a lesser thickness than aremainder of the wall 404 (see, e.g., thickness 316 defined by theinsert portion 416 as depicted in FIG. 3 ). Responsive to compression,the wall 404 and outer surface 408 can bow outward to contact a fittingreceiving the gasket 260 (e.g., to operate as a face seal). By providingthe insert portion 416 with a lesser thickness, the gasket 260 can havea relief cut that can decrease insertion forces for coupling thesprinkler 104 with the fitting 280, which can facilitate toollessinstallation of the sprinkler 104. The gasket 260 can include aplurality of insert portions 1516 (e.g., defined by more than two reliefcuts from outer surface 1508) to facilitate sealing and engagement withdecreased insertion forces.

As depicted in FIG. 4 and FIGS. 5-7 , the gasket 260 can include atleast one extension 420 that extends radially inward from the innersurface 412. The extensions 420 can be bumps or dimples formed on theinner surface 412. The extensions 420 can enable an interference fitbetween the gasket 260 and the sprinkler 104, which can help prevent thegasket 260 from falling off the sprinkler 104 prior to installation infitting 280 even as the orientation of the sprinkler 104 is modified(e.g., if the sprinkler 104 is turned upside down). The extensions 420can be positioned symmetrically around the inner surface 412 (e.g.,within a threshold angle of being equally angularly spaced one another;the threshold angle can be less than ten degrees, less than fivedegrees, less than one degree). The extensions can be positionedasymmetrically. As depicted in FIG. 5 , the threads of the engagementmember 240 may form part of the gasket receiver 256 (e.g., theengagement member 240 can be on the surface of the gasket receiver 256),and the extensions 420 can be received between the threads of theengagement member 240 (e.g., in voids 504) to enable the interferencefit.

FIG. 6 depicts an example of the sprinkler 104 including a groove 600formed on the gasket receiver 256 between the engagement member 240 andthe extension 320 of the sprinkler 104. The groove 600 can receive theextensions 420 of the gasket 260 to enable the interference fit betweenthe sprinkler 104 and the gasket 260. As depicted in FIG. 6 , the groovecan have a depth less than a depth of the voids 504 formed between thethreads of the engagement member 240.

FIG. 7 depicts dimensions of the gasket 260, which can enable the gasket260 to effectively seal the sprinkler 104 with the fitting 280. Thegasket 260 can define an inner radius 704 and an outer radius 708relative to a gasket axis 700 (the gasket axis 700 can align with thelongitudinal axis 202 when the gasket 260 is coupled with the sprinkler104).

The inner radius 704 can be greater than or equal to 0.75 inches andless than or equal to 2.5 inches. The inner radius 704 can be greaterthan or equal to 1 inch and less than or equal to 2 inches. The innerradius 704 can be greater than or equal to 1.2 inches and less than orequal to 1.5 inches. The inner radius 704 can be 1.38 inches.

The outer radius 708 can be greater than or equal to 1 inch and lessthan or equal to 3 inches. The outer radius 708 can be greater than orequal to 1.2 inches and less than or equal to 2.2 inches. The outerradius 708 can be greater than or equal to 1.4 inches and less than orequal to 1.6 inches. The outer radius 708 can be 1.5 inches. A ratio ofthe inner radius 704 to the outer radius 708 can be greater than 1:1.05and less than 1:1.5. The ratio can be 1:1.09.

The extension 420 of the gasket 260 can define a length 712 and a height716, such as to enable the interference fit between the gasket 260 andthe sprinkler 104. The length 712 can be greater than 0.01 inches andless than 0.1 inches. The length 712 can be greater than 0.02 inches andless than 0.05 inches. The length 712 can be 0.04 inches.

The height 716 can be greater than 0.02 inches and less than 0.12inches. The height 716 can be greater than 0.03 inches and less than0.09 inches. The height 716 can be greater than 0.04 inches and lessthan 0.08 inches. The height 716 can be 0.06 inches. A ratio of thelength 712 to the height 716 can be greater than 1:1.1 and less than1:2. The ratio can be 1:1.3.

The extension 420 can define an inner radius 720. The inner radius 720can enable the extension 420 to be received by the engagement member 240of the sprinkler 104. The inner radius 720 can be greater than 1 inchand less than two inches. The inner radius 720 can be greater than 1.2inches and less than 1.5 inches. The inner radius 720 can be greaterthan 1.3 inches and less than 1.4 inches. The inner radius 720 can be1.34 inches.

FIG. 8 depicts an example of a fitting 800. The fitting 800 canincorporate features of and be used to implement the fitting 280described with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B. The fitting 800 can beattached to the piping 108 by welding or engagement with an engagementmember of the piping 108 and second engagement member 816. The fitting800 can enable toolless installation of a remote fitting to the fitting800, along with connection of the remote fitting with the piping 108.Various fittings and adapters described herein, including fitting 800,can be used to convert threads from NPT to other thread geometriesdescribed herein for different fittings and geometries, facilitatingquick connections and/or retrofitting. For example, the fitting 800 canbe used as a female-female converter.

The fitting 800 can include the inner wall 284 defining the fittingengagement member 288. The fitting engagement member 288 can engage anengagement member of a remote fitting (e.g., the at least one engagementmember 240 of the sprinkler 104 or of the fitting 900 described withreference to FIG. 9 ). The fitting engagement member 288 can have astraight thread, such as to facilitate toolless coupling of the remotefitting with the fitting 800. The fitting engagement member 288 can havefemale threads having pitch compatible to be engaged with external(male) threads provide on various sprinklers described herein.

The fitting 800 can include the end wall 292. The end wall 292 can havea greater inner diameter than the fitting engagement member 288. The endwall 292 can receive the remote fitting, as well as a gasket (e.g.,gasket 260 described with reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 3-7) positionedon an outer wall of the remote fitting to seal the fitting 800 and theremote fitting. For example, the gasket can be received between the endwall 292 and the remote fitting and outside of contact between thefitting engagement member 288 and an engagement member of the remotefitting, enabling the gasket to seal the connection between the fittingswithout being exposed to fluid flow between the fittings.

The fitting 800 can include a second engagement member 816. The secondengagement member 816 can enable threaded engagement between the fitting800 and components such as piping 108. The second engagement member 816can include at least one of an interference thread or national pipethread (NPT). The second engagement member 816 can be spaced from thefitting engagement member 288 along the inner wall 284.

FIG. 9 depicts an example of a fitting 900. The fitting 900 can beconnected with the fitting 800. For example, a toolless installation canbe performed in which the fitting 900 is moved into the fitting 800, andthreaded to engage with the fitting engagement member 288, while agasket (e.g., gasket 260 described with reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and3-7 ) is positioned between the fitting 800 and the fitting 900. Thefitting 900 can incorporate features of the sprinkler 104; for example,the sprinkler 104 can be an example of the fitting 900. The fitting 900can be implemented as various types of fittings, including but notlimited to sprinklers, tee joints, cross joints, elbow joints, pipeoutlets, and pipe couplings. The fittings 800, 900 can be provided as apiping assembly. The fitting 900 can include a male RIS engagementmember (engagement member 240) and a female NPT engagement member (e.g.,engagement member 920); the fitting 900 may also be formed to have afemale RIS engagement member and male NPT engagement member.

The fitting 900 includes a body 904 having the at least one flange 236extending from the body 904 to an inlet end 908. The body 904 caninclude or be coupled with various components, such as sprinklers, pipejoints, or pipe couplings. For example, as depicted in FIG. 9 , the body904 can define an inner engagement member 920 extending to an outlet end924 to connect a first remote fitting (e.g., fittings 280, 800) with theinlet end 908 and a second remote fitting with the outlet end 924. Theinner engagement member 920 can include at least one of an interferencethread or national pipe thread (NPT). The threads of the innerengagement member 920 can be female threads. The second remote fittingcan be a standard ESFR sprinkler having engageable NPT threads or apiping having NPT threads.

The fitting 900 includes the at least one engagement 240 between the atleast one flange 236 and the inlet end 908. The inlet end 908 can beinserted into a remote fitting (e.g., fittings 280, 800) and connectedwith the remote fitting, such as by threaded engagement between the atleast one engagement member 240 and a corresponding engagement member ofthe remote fitting. The engagement member 240 can have a straightthreads, such as to facilitate toolless coupling of the remote fittingwith the fitting 900. The threads of the engagement member 240 can bemale threads.

The at least one flange 236 can incorporate features of the at least oneflange 236 of the sprinkler 104. For example, the at least one flange236 is depicted to include a first flange 236 and a second flange 252.The at least one flange 236 can receive a gasket (e.g., gasket 260described with reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 3 ) on the at least oneflange 236, such as adjacent to gasket receiver 256 (which can positionthe gasket away from the engagement member 240, such as radially outwardfrom the engagement member 240). The first flange 236 can be sized toabut a remote fitting into which the inlet end 908 is inserted, such asby extending further radially outward than the engagement member 916, toprevent overtightening and overcompression of the gasket 260 between thefitting 900 and the remote fitting.

FIG. 10 depicts an example of a fitting assembly 1000 that can beimplemented using features of various systems and devices describedherein. The fitting assembly 1000 can include a flex hose fitting 1004that can incorporate features of the fittings and/or adapters 280, 800,1200, 1300, facilitating tool-free installation of a fitting, such asthe sprinkler 104 or the fitting 900, with the flex hose fitting 1004.

Installing sprinklers with flexible hoses (“flex hoses”) can enable moreflexible positioning of the sprinkler, including in implementationswhere the flex hose spaces the sprinkler from a fluid-filled portion ofthe sprinkler system. The flex hose can be secured relative to astructure, such as a ceiling using clamps, rails, or other supportmembers. As an example of an installation procedure, a sprinkler can beconnected with the flex hose at ground level (e.g., using a tool, suchas a wrench), the flex hose can be raised to ceiling level so that anopposite end of the flex hose can be connected with a pipe header at oraround ceiling level, and the flex hose can be swung into clampingstructures, which can be fastened with the flex hose. Such procedurescan require an installer to handle several components and tools abovehead level; in addition, moving the components can result in contactbetween the sprinkler and walls or other components. By using the flexhose fitting 1004 to connect with the sprinkler 104, the sprinkler 104can be installed after putting the flex hose fitting 1004 in positionand securing the flex hose fitting 1004 using clamps or other fasteners,and can be installed without using tools such as wrenches or pipe tape.For example, the connections enabled by the flex hose fitting 1004 withat least one of the sprinkler 104 at a first end of the flex hosefitting 1004 and a pipe header (e.g., piping 108) at a second end of theflex hose fitting 1004 can each be performed without tools. This canfacilitate an installation process in which the flex hose fitting 1004is connected (e.g., by hand) with the piping 108, then secured into atarget position using clamps or other fasteners, and then the sprinkler104 is connected (e.g., by hand) with the flex hose fitting 1004. Ininstallation processes requiring multiple sprinklers 104 to beinstalled, each respective flex hose fitting 1004 can be coupled withthe piping 108 and secured using clamps or other fasteners, before eachsprinkler 104 is then installed (e.g., by hand) with each respectiveflex hose fitting 1004.

As depicted in FIG. 10 , the flex hose fitting 1004 extends from aninlet end 1008 that can connect with the piping 108 to an outlet end1012 that can connect with the sprinkler 104, and can include a hoseportion 1016 between the inlet end 1008 and the outlet end 1012. FIG. 10is described based on connecting the sprinkler 104 with the outlet end1012; the fitting 900 (e.g., various types of fittings incorporatingfeatures of the fitting 900, such as joints, pipe couplings, or pipeoutlets) can be connected with the outlet end 1012. The inlet end 1008can be connected with the piping 108 using various components, such asadapter 1020 (e.g., a welded or strap-on pipe outlet, tee fitting, orelbow fitting incorporating features of the fittings and/or adapters280, 800, 1200, 1300), a grooved connection (e.g., to be coupled using agrooved fitting, such as a grooved pipe coupling), or by welding.

The hose portion 1016 can be formed by a hose. The hose portion 1016 canbe formed by a resilient material, such as rubber, or can be formed by acorrugated material, such as steel, to allow the inlet end 1008 to bepositioned in various poses (e.g., positions and/or orientations)relative to the outlet end 1012, while allowing fluid to flow from theinlet end 1008 to the outlet end 1012. The hose portion 1016 can includea grooved outer surface 1018 (e.g., a grooved surface formed by thematerial of the hose or an outer sleeve positioned around at least aportion of the hose). The hose portion 1016 can incorporate features ofvarious flexible hoses described in PCT Publication No. WO 2021/003153,such as a braided outer tubing, which can be made of a metal.

The flex hose fitting 1004 can include at least one adapter 1020 (e.g.,located at at least one of the inlet end 1008 and the outlet end 1012;forming at least one of the inlet end 1008 and the outlet end 1012). Theadapter 1020 can be integrally or monolithically formed with the flexhose fitting 1004, which can reduce an amount of connections required tobe performed to install the sprinkler 104. The adapter 1020 can becoupled with the flex hose fitting 1004 (e.g., the outlet end 1012 canbe a hose connector or reduer and the adapter 1020 can incorporatefeatures of the fitting 800, such as the second engagement member 816,that can connect with the hose connector; the adapter 1020 can becoupled with the flex hose fitting 1004 in an assembly such as depictedin FIG. 11 ). The adapter 1020 can incorporate features of the fittings280, 800 to enable tool-free (e.g., wrench-free, manual) installation ofthe sprinkler 104 with the adapter 1020. The adapter 1020 can beadjacent to the hose portion 1016. The adapter 1020 can be spaced fromthe hose portion 1016, such as by one or more additional hose portionsor other tubing of the flex hose fitting 1004, such as tube portionsthat may be less flexible than the hose portion 1016.

The adapter 1020 can include an inner wall 1024 defining an engagementmember 1028. The inner wall 1024 can incorporate features of the innerwall 284, and the engagement member 1028 can incorporate features of thefitting engagement member 288. The engagement member 1028 can be athreaded member, such as straight thread, to enable hand tightening of aconnection between the adapter 1020 and the sprinkler 104.

The adapter 1020 can include a receiver 1032 to receive the sprinkler104. The receiver 1032 can incorporate features of the inner wall edge286, end wall 292, and outer edge 296. The receiver 1032 can have agreater inner diameter than the engagement member 1028. The receiver1032 can receive the sprinkler 104 and the gasket 260 between thereceiver 1032 and the sprinkler 104. For example, the sprinkler 104 andthe gasket 260 can be positioned in the receiver 1032, and the sprinkler104 can be rotated to engage the engagement member 1028 with theengagement member 240 of the sprinkler 104. At the inlet end 1008 of theflex hose fitting 1004, the adapter 1020 can be coupled with the piping(e.g., welded, connected using threaded engagement members, adheredusing adhesive, coupled with a pipe coupling) and with at least oneflange 236 coupled with the flex hose 1016, and the gasket 260 can beprovided between the at least one flange 236 coupled with the flex hose1016 and the adapter 1020 to seal the adapter 1020 with the flex hose1016. The at least one flange 236 can be rotatably coupled with theinlet end 1008 of the flex hose 1016 to facilitate flexible placement ofthe flex hose fitting 1003.

The fitting assembly 1000 can include a fastener 1040 to fix the flexhose fitting 1004 (and the sprinkler 104) relative to a buildingstructure (not shown), such as a ceiling or wall. The fastener 1040 caninclude at least one of a clamp, a strap, and a bracket. For example, asdepicted in FIG. 10 , the fastener 1040 can be a clamp that can bepositioned around the flex hose fitting 1004 to secure the flex hosefitting 1004, and can be fixed to at least one rail 1044 that extendsfrom the fastener 1040 to the building structure. The fastener 1040 caninclude a spring-loaded ratchet, such as to engage the grooved outersurface 1018. For example, in an installation procedure, the flex hosefitting 1004 can be coupled with the piping 108 without using tools,such as by being coupled with a header of the piping 108 using theadapter 1020 coupled with the piping 108. The flex hose 1016 of the flexhose fitting 1004 can be manipulated in space to a target position; forexample, an axis through the inlet end 1008 can be aligned in at leastone of a different angle and a different plane relative an axis throughthe outlet end 1012. The fastener 1040 can be coupled with the flex hosefitting 1004, such as to the adapter 1020 of the outlet end 1012 of theflex hose fitting 1004, to secure the position of the outlet end 1012.The sprinkler 104 can be coupled with the outlet end 1012 using varioustool-free installation components and procedures described herein, suchas components and procedures that allow for push or other manual (e.g.,rotational) connections.

FIG. 11 depicts an example of features of an installation 1100 of thefitting assembly 1000. At least some connections of the installation1100 can be performed without tools. As depicted in FIG. 11 , aconnector 1104 can be coupled with a header 1102 of the piping 108. Theconnector 1104 can extend from the piping 108 to an outlet end 1106, andinclude thread 1108 and a groove 1110 closer to the outlet end 1106 thanthe thread 1108.

An adapter 1120, which can incorporate features of the adapter 1020, canbe coupled with the connector 1104. For example, the adapter 1120 caninclude thread 1122 to connect with the thread 1108, and a shoulder 1124to receive a first gasket 1126 to allow the first gasket 1126 to bereceived in the groove 1110 and seal the adapter 1120 with the connector1004. The adapter 1120 can include thread 1128 on an opposite end of theadapter 1120 from the thread 1108.

The adapter 1120 can be used to connect with the flex hose 1016, such asto form one or more connections of the flex hose fitting 1004. Forexample, as depicted in FIG. 11 , a fitting 1140 can be positionedaround the a first end 1132 of the flex hose 1016 and a second gasket1134 coupled with the flex hose 1016. The fitting 1140 can includethread 1142 to engage the thread 1128, while the second gasket 1134 isreceived between the adapter 1120 (e.g., end wall 1129 of the adapter1120) and a shoulder 1144 of the flex hose 1016. The fitting 1140 caninclude a wall 1146 that extends radially inward relative to the thread1142 to engage the shoulder 1144, facilitating (e.g., tool-free)connection between the adapter 1120, second gasket 1134, fitting 1140,and flex hose 1016.

A second end 1160 of the flex hose 1016 can extend to a correspondingadapter 1020, which can be implemented using components of theinstallation 1100 or various other components described herein, such asto connect the second end 1160 with the sprinkler 104 (e.g., in atool-free installation).

FIG. 12 depicts an example of an adapter 1200. The adapter 1200 orcomponents thereof can be used to implement the at least one adapter1020 of the flex hose fitting 1004.

The adapter 1200 includes a housing 1212 having a first end 1214 andinlet 1215. The inlet 1215 can be part of or coupled with the piping 108(e.g., where used to implement an inlet end of the flex hose fitting1004), or can be coupled with or form part of the flex hose 1016 (e.g.,where used to implement an outlet end of the flex hose fitting 1004 tobe coupled with the sprinkler 104). The adapter 1200 includes a secondend 1216. The first end 1214 and second end 1216 can be formed as maleor female members to facilitate various forms of installations.

The housing 1212 can be a tubular member, and can have an internalpassageway 1218 extending from the first end 1214 to the second end 1216along longitudinal axis 1201. The adapter 1210 can be a straightfitting, as depicted, and can be formed as a reducer fitting. Theadapter 1210 can be formed as an elbow fitting.

The internal passageway 1218 can include a receptacle 1220 formed at thesecond end 1216, and can include a thread 1222 for a threaded engagementwith a remote component. The internal passageway 1218 can be at leastpartially defined by a stepped portion 1240 of the housing 1212 in whichthe diameter of the internal passageway 1218 decreases.

The housing 1212 can include a gasket chamber 1224 between the first end1214 and the thread 1222. The gasket chamber 1224 and the receptacle1220 can be aligned with one another and centered about the longitudinalaxis 1201. An internal wall 1232 of the housing 1212 can at leastpartially form the gasket chamber 1224.

A gasket 1226 can be disposed in the gasket chamber 1224. The gasket1226 can be an annular member having a central opening through whichfluid can flow. The gasket 1226 can have an unloaded state and a loadedstate within the gasket chamber 1224. More specifically, without asprinkler in the receptacle 1220 or fully engaged in the receptacle1220, the gasket 1226 can be in its unloaded state in which the gasket.In the loaded state, the gasket 1226 can form a fluid tight seal withthe sprinkler 104 that is advanced into the receptacle 1220 to press thegasket 1226 against bearing surfaces of the gasket chamber 1224.

The thread 1222 can be a straight thread. By using straight thread 1222for receipt of a remote component (e.g., sprinkler 104), which mayinclude tapered thread, a proper fluid tight seal can be formed upon asquared contact between the remote component and the gasket 1226,without the use of wrenches or other tools. The receptacle 1220 can havean internal diameter ID, and a wall thickness WT to an outer surface ofthe housing 1212.

The gasket chamber 1224 can have two regions: (i) a holding portion 1228and (ii) an expansion portion 1230. The holding portion 1228 can definea first volume in which the gasket 1226 is completely housed in theunloaded state of the gasket 1226. The volume defined by the holdingportion 1228 can be cylindrical for holding the annular shaped gasket1226. The expansion portion 1230 can define a second volume to receive adisplaced portion of the gasket 1226 in the loaded state of the gasket1226. The expansion portion 1230 can define an annular void or gaplocated above or axially adjacent the unloaded gasket 1226 for receiptof the displaced gasket portion in a loaded state of the gasket 1226.

FIG. 13 depicts an example of an adapter 1300. The adapter 1300 orcomponents thereof can be used to implement the at least one adapter1020 of the fitting assembly 1000. The adapter 1300 can enable a pushconnection between the flex hose fitting 1004 and one or more remotecomponents, such as the sprinkler 104 or piping 108. For example, theadapter 1300 can enable the sprinkler 104 to be pushed into connectionwith the outlet end 1012 of the flex hose fitting 1004, the inlet end1008 of the flex hose fitting 1004 to be pushed into connection withpiping 108 (e.g., with a connector attached to the piping 108), orvarious combinations thereof to enable tool-free installation.

As depicted in FIG. 13 , the adapter 1300 can have a body 1302 thatextends along a longitudinal axis 1301 from a first end 1304 to a secondend 1306. The second end 1306 can coupled with or formed as part of theflex hose fitting 1004. The body 1302 can define an internal passageway1308 extending along the longitudinal axis 1301 from the first end 1304to the second end 1306. The body 1302 can be made from one or moreintegral or separate and coupled portions. A remote component, such asthe sprinkler 104 or a piping component or adapter, can be insertedthrough the first end 1304 into the internal passageway 1308.

The adapter 1308 can include at least one ring 1310. The ring 1310 caninclude a plurality of teeth 1312. The plurality of teeth 1312 can bespaced along the ring 1310 and at least one of oriented, shaped, andmade from a material to facilitate a push connection with the sprinkler104 or other remote component. For example, the plurality of teeth 1312can receive a thread of the sprinkler 104 to allow the sprinkler 104 tobe pushed through the first end 1304 past the teeth 1312, and can engagethe thread to prevent movement of the sprinkler 104 back towards thefirst end 1304. The teeth 1312 can be shaped to extend inward toward thelongitudinal axis 1301, and towards the second end 1306 relative to thefirst end 1304. The body 1302 can include a first slot 1314 to receivethe ring 1310, such as to prevent movement of the ring 1310 along thelongitudinal axis 1301 while the sprinkler 104 or other remote componentis being pushed against the ring 1310.

The adapter 1300 can include a seal 1316, such as a gasket, to form aseal with the sprinkler 104 or other remote component. The seal 1318 canbe received in a second slot of the body 1302, which can be locatedbetween the first slot 1314 and the second end 1306 to allow thesprinkler 104 or other remote component to be pushed into connectionwith the adapter 1300 and then sealed with the seal 1316.

As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially”,and similar terms are intended to include any given ranges ornumbers+/−10%. These terms include insubstantial or inconsequentialmodifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimedare considered to be within the scope of the disclosure as recited inthe appended claims.

It should be noted that the term “exemplary” and variations thereof, asused herein to describe various embodiments, are intended to indicatethat such embodiments are possible examples, representations, orillustrations of possible embodiments (and such terms are not intendedto connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary orsuperlative examples).

The term “coupled” and variations thereof, as used herein, means thejoining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Suchjoining may be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or moveable (e.g.,removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the twomembers coupled directly to each other, with the two members coupledwith each other using a separate intervening member and any additionalintermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two memberscoupled with each other using an intervening member that is integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one of the two members. If“coupled” or variations thereof are modified by an additional term(e.g., directly coupled), the generic definition of “coupled” providedabove is modified by the plain language meaning of the additional term(e.g., “directly coupled” means the joining of two members without anyseparate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition thanthe generic definition of “coupled” provided above. Such coupling may bemechanical, electrical, or fluidic.

The term “or,” as used herein, is used in its inclusive sense (and notin its exclusive sense) so that when used to connect a list of elements,the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list.Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,”unless specifically stated otherwise, is understood to convey that anelement may be either X, Y, Z; X and Y; X and Z; Y and Z; or X, Y, and Z(i.e., any combination of X, Y, and Z). Thus, such conjunctive languageis not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require atleast one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z to each bepresent, unless otherwise indicated.

References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,”“above,” “below”) are merely used to describe the orientation of variouselements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation ofvarious elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments,and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the presentdisclosure.

The construction and arrangement of the fitting assembly as shown in thevarious exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Additionally, anyelement disclosed in one embodiment may be incorporated or utilized withany other embodiment disclosed herein. Although only one example of anelement from one embodiment that can be incorporated or utilized inanother embodiment has been described above, it should be appreciatedthat other elements of the various embodiments may be incorporated orutilized with any of the other embodiments disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sprinkler system, comprising: a fitting,comprising: a hose; and at least one adapter coupled with the hose, theat least one adapter comprising a first engagement member and a receiveradjacent to the first engagement member, the receiver having a greaterinner diameter than the first engagement member; and a sprinklercomprising a body, at least one flange extending from the body, and asecond engagement member extending from the at least one flange.
 2. Thesprinkler system of claim 1, comprising: a gasket sized to be positionedbetween the at least one flange and the receiver.
 3. The sprinklersystem of claim 1, comprising: at least one of a clamp, a strap, and abracket to fix a position of the hose relative to a building structure.4. The sprinkler system of claim 1, comprising: the at least one flangecomprises a first flange that contacts an outer edge of the fitting, asecond flange that extends radially outward less than the first flangeand contacts the end wall, and a gasket receiver that extends radiallyoutward less than the second flange to position a gasket between thegasket receiver and the receiver of the fitting.
 5. The sprinkler systemof claim 1, comprising: the at least one adapter comprises a firstadapter defining an inlet end of the fitting and a second adapterdefining an outlet end of the fitting opposite the inlet end.
 6. Thesprinkler system of claim 1, comprising: the hose comprises a resilientmaterial.
 7. The sprinkler system of claim 1, comprising: the hosecomprises a grooved outer surface.
 8. The sprinkler system of claim 1,comprising: the sprinkler comprises: at least one frame arm extendingfrom the body in a direction opposite the at least one flange; adeflector attached to the at least one frame arm; a seal positioned inan opening of the body fluidly coupled with the at least one adapter;and a thermal activation element in contact with the seal, the thermalactivation element changes state responsive to a fire condition to allowthe seal to be moved out of the opening by fluid flowing through thebody.
 9. A flexible hose fitting, comprising: a hose; and at least oneadapter coupled with the hose, the at least one adapter comprising afirst engagement member and a receiver adjacent to the first engagementmember, the receiver having a greater inner diameter than the firstengagement member.
 10. The flexible hose fitting of claim 9, comprising:a grooved outer surface around the hose.
 11. The flexible hose fittingof claim 9, comprising: the at least one adapter is at least one ofintegrally formed with or coupled with the hose.
 12. The flexible hosefitting of claim 9, comprising: the hose comprises a resilient material.13. A piping assembly of a sprinkler system, comprising: a firstfitting, comprising: a hose; and at least one adapter coupled with thehose, the at least one adapter comprising a first engagement member anda receiver adjacent to the first engagement member, the receiver havinga greater inner diameter than the first engagement member; and a secondfitting, comprising: a body; at least one flange extending from thebody; and a second engagement member extending from the at least oneflange; and a gasket to be positioned between the receiver and the atleast one flange.
 14. The piping assembly of claim 13, comprising: thesecond fitting comprises at least one of a sprinkler, a tee joint, across joint, an elbow joint, a pipe coupling, and a pipe outlet.
 15. Thepiping assembly of claim 13, comprising: at least one of a clamp, astrap, and a bracket to fix a position of the hose relative to abuilding structure.
 16. The piping assembly of claim 13, comprising: theat least one flange comprises a first flange that contacts an outer edgeof the second fitting, a second flange that extends radially outwardless than the first flange and contacts an end wall of the secondfitting, and a gasket receiver that extends radially outward less thanthe second flange to position the gasket between the gasket receiver andthe receiver of the second fitting.
 17. The piping assembly of claim 13,comprising: the at least one adapter comprises a first adapter definingan inlet end of the first fitting and a second adapter defining anoutlet end of the first fitting opposite the inlet end.
 18. The pipingassembly of claim 13, comprising: the hose comprises a resilientmaterial.
 19. The piping assembly of claim 13, comprising: the hosecomprises a grooved outer surface.
 20. The piping assembly of claim 13,comprising: the first fitting connects with a fluid supply; and thesecond fitting connects with a sprinkler.